כדי ש־

Purpose with a Separate Subject

Level 4

כדי ש means so that or in order that. Its clause can name a different person who should achieve the intended result.

How It Works

A Purpose Clause

Put ש on the clause’s first word: כדי שדנה תבין or כדי שהיא תבין. The embedded subject determines its verb form. Future-shaped forms commonly express the intended result even when the main action was in the past.

Compare the Infinitive

באתי כדי ללמוד names my purpose with an infinitive. באתי כדי שדנה תלמד makes Dana the intended learner. The clause is useful when the performer needs to be stated separately.

Purpose Is Not Proof

The construction presents an aim, not necessarily an achieved outcome. היא פתחה את החלון כדי שיהיה אוויר says why she opened it. Context establishes whether the desired result occurred. A reason with כי instead explains a cause or motivation through another relationship.

Examples (4)

  1. דיברתי לאט כדי שדנה תבין.

    I spoke slowly so that Dana would understand.

    The purpose clause names a different subject.

  2. פתחתי את הדלת כדי שהוא ייכנס.

    I opened the door so that he could enter.

    Future-shaped ייכנס expresses the intended result.

  3. נכתוב ברור כדי שכולם יבינו.

    We will write clearly so that everyone understands.

    The purpose clause has plural agreement.

  4. היא פתחה את החלון כדי שיהיה אוויר.

    She opened the window so that there would be air.

    The goal is an existential situation.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the clause connector before a separately stated purpose subject.

    דיברתי לאט כדי דנה תבין.
    דיברתי לאט כדי שדנה תבין.

    Use כדי ש before the complete purpose clause.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

כדי ש־Level 4Purpose with a Separate Subject

Learn This First

Use a finite purpose clause when its actor must be expressed separately.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.